Event Description

COVID-19 Update: Please be aware that we follow CDC and Local Rules related to COVID-19.  We encourage the use of masks and maintaining 6 feet apart while gathering in groups.

Summer Training Teams for 2021 - Choose one of our following teams:

• Road Running (Half/Full Marathon or Just Run)

• Trail Marathon Running Team

• Boston Marathon Performance Running Team

Please note: Registration for Race Team RVA training does not include race entry. You must register separately for your desired race.

Road Running Teams - 3 Teams: 1) Half Marathon, 2) Full Marathon, or 3) Just Run

Saturday ROAD teams will be training for a half or full marathon, or join this team to just run with the group at any of the following 3 locations:

• Uturn Sports Performance (2101 Maywill St, Richmond, VA 23230),
• Short Pump (3329 Pump Rd, Henrico, VA 23233), and
• Woodlake Aquatic & Fitness Center (AFC) (14710 Village Square Pkwy, Midlothian, VA 23112). 

Teams will meet each Saturday from May 15 through November 6 for organized group runs starting at 7am from May 15, but beginning July 3, we move to 6:30am through Labor day.  After labor day, we switch back to a 7:00am start.  Team members may switch between locations during the season. 

Once a month, the Road Team will have the option of running trails on Saturdays with our Trail Team.

Sunday Group Run Locations: Group runs will be held at Uturn Sports Performance Academy only.

Note:  As a member of the team, you can run both Saturday and Sunday, and we encourage you to do so.  Many of our runners have found running 2 days during the weekends improved their overall performance.  If you run both days, we encourage you to run one day at your marathon running pace (MRP) and the other for an easy recovery pace.

Optional 9 mile marathon program. We ran this program with success in 2017, 2019, 2020 and will be offering it again this year.  This program is based on World Class Ironman Champion, Marlies Kort, who developed this program to help her train more efficiently and in less time and effort than using the traditional marathon plans.  As a busy mom, she was looking for a better way to train so she worked with several PhD researchers to develop this program.  For the Full marathon, your longest run is only 9 miles.  This program uses your Marathon Heart Rate (MHR) as a means to control your running so that you stay in your MHR zone during your runs.  You will need a watch that has a heart rate monitor so you can stay in your zone.  For this program, you can start training with our team of runners from May - July, then in early August we begin our testing for your Critical Heart Rate (CHR) & your 10k time, together these are used to calculate your MHR.  You must be able to run 4 or 5 miles when the program officially starts on August 15.   The schedule for this plan is:

• June 5 - August 7 - train with the rest of the team for your 10k trial run in August
• August 7 - 10k trial run (race) - uses this time for the MHR formula (members who miss can use an old 10K time from the past year or race on their own)
• Weeks of August 15 & 22 -  CHR testing offered 2 dates - Meet at track to determine CHR to use for MHR formula.  If you cannot make these dates, you will have to do your CHR testing on your own (we will show you how).
• August 23 - week 1 starts (Monday) of 9 mile training; day 1 of 90
• Aug 28 - First group run using MHR

Register for one of the programs below and make your decision by early August if the 9 Mile program is a program for you.   This is optional and not recommended for first-time marathoners.  We believe first-time marathoners should train the traditional way to appreciate this program.  

Marathon Trail Running Team:

The Marathon Trail team will meet on Saturdays at various trails within close proximity of the Richmond Community.

Marathon Trail Training Program - 25 week Program starts Saturday, May 15, 2021.    This is our inaugural Summer program so be one of the first to join this unique group.                                                                                  

Join Richmond's only Marathon Trail Training team program!   This program is led by Coach Erin Williams, who is an elite ultra trail runner, along with her team of experienced, certified Coaches.  Team runs will be on Saturdays from various locations in and around the Richmond area.  You must be willing to drive within 5-20 miles of the Richmond area for group runs.  All Saturday practice runs will be done on trails in order to prepare you for running a trail race.  This program will be aligned to the 2021 CATs Trail Fest on Saturday, October 23, 2021 in Charlottesville, VA, running various trails and terrains over the course of the program so that you are prepared to run this race.  This program also includes the option for you to run with the Road team on Sundays from the Uturn Sports Performance location at 2101 Maywill St, Richmond, VA.

Practice Trail Locations:  Various trails in and around the Richmond area.  Locations will vary throughout the 25 week training period, including runs at Pocahontas State Park, James River Trails, Poor Farm Park, Capital Trail, Leakes Mill Park, and Freedom Park.  We will announce a week in advance, the location and provide turn sheet and maps for each run. You will be responsible for knowing the trails and bringing a copy of the directions. Every effort will be made to put out directional signs and markings but this may not always be feasible on the longest runs

All long trail runs will be on Saturday starting at 7:00am but could vary depending on the course run of the week.

Water stations and other nutrition provided at Start/Finish on Trails – you will need to carry your own water or electrolyte supply during the runs while on the trails.  We will design the routes to take advantage of the start/finish location but in many cases, this may not be enough hydration for longer runs.  So you will need to carry hydration while running the trails.

Minimum Requirements: Must be an experienced runner, capable of completing a half marathon in less than 3 hours. Also must be able to run at least 3 miles by May 15. If you have further questions about the requirements, please email Coach Dan @ runcoachdan@gmail.com 

This program will help you prepare to join our popular Winter Ultra program that starts in December 2021.

Athletes must be independent and self-sufficient to run longer distances in the woods/trails alone if needed. You must have the emotional maturity and resilience to be comfortable running trails during the summer.
Must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Boston Marathon Performance Team:

This program is for elite runners only and you must be capable of running a marathon in under 3 hours, 30 minutes.  Program will be led by Jimmy Picard (DPT) who is a former collegiate runner and competitive cyclist that has a passion for the mechanics of the human body. He is a graduate from William & Mary and also VCU where he earned his Doctoral degree in Physical therapy. Jimmy and his team of running coaches have run competitively, finishing marathons in impressive times ranging from 2:30 to 3:10. If you are looking to improve your performance and are capable of running a marathon under 3 hours, 30 minutes, this 21 week program is for you! All group runs will be run from the UTurn Sports Performance Academy at 2101 Maywill St., Richmond, on Saturdays.  Some optional group runs may be done on Sundays from the same location (TBD).

Training Team Pricing 

Marathon Training Program (starts May 15 and aligns with Richmond Marathon on Nov 13)

This program will prepare you for any fall race you choose, whether your first marathon or your 20th.
Cost: $70.00  

Discounts for over 60 years old and for High School or Full Time College Students (email raceteamrva@gmail.com for more info)

Requirements for the full marathon training program:  Must be able to run 5 miles by May 15.
Must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Half Marathon Program -Two Optional starts:  1): May 15 (aligns to the Patrick Henry Half Marathon on August 28), or 2): August 21 (aligns to Richmond Half Marathon on Nov 13)

If you want to commit to a full season (6 months) of half marathon training with the team, this is the program for you. Those who register for this program will begin in May or August and will train for the Patrick Henry Half (Sat, Aug 28) and Richmond Half (Sat, Nov 13).   This is a base-building program that will keep you fit to run any half marathon in late summer or early winter season.

Cost: $60.00 (for May 15 start)     

Cost: $50.00 (for August 21 start)   

Discounts for over 60 years old and for High School or Full Time College Students (email raceteamrva@gmail.com for more info  

Requirements for the half marathon training program:  Must be able to run 3 miles by June 15 or August 21.
Must be at least 18 years old to participate, or 14 with a parent's approval.

Just Run Program (starts Saturday, May 15 or you can join at any time during the summer/fall program)

New to running or just want to stay in shape? This program will help keep you fit and prepare you for any 5k through marathon race, depending on your desire to run the distance.  For the athlete that wants to stay in shape and use running as a means to stay fit through the summer / fall.
Cost: $40.00

Marathon Trail Training Program (starts May 15 and aligns with CATs Trail Fest on October 23, 2021)

This program will prepare you for any trail race you choose in the fall.  Training continues through November 6.
Cost: $100.00 (Discount for those who ran our with Winter Ultra Trail team - see your coach for discount code)

Discounts for over 60 years old and for High School or Full Time College Students (email raceteamrva@gmail.com for more info)

Requirements for the full marathon training program:  Must be able to run 5 miles by May 15.
Must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Boston Performance Team (starts May 15 and aligns to the Boston Marathon on October 11)

This program will prepare you for running the Boston Marathon on October 11, 2021 (in-person) or for those running the virtual race on October 8 - 10, 2021.  This is an Elite program led by Coach Jimmy Picard (DPT) and a few other coaches capable of running a marathons in the 2:30 to 3:10 range.  If you plan to run Boston and are capable of finishing a marathon anywhere from 2:30 to 3:30, this is the program for you. This is a 21 week program designed to maximize your performance in running the Boston Marathon, whether you are running your race in-person or virtually.
Cost: $100.00  

Discount for those over 60 years old.

Requirements for the full marathon training program:  Must be able (or expect) to complete a marathon in 3 hours, 30 minutes or better. 
Must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Please note: Registration for Race Team RVA training does not include race entry. You must register separately for your desired race.

What does Race Team RVA offer?

• Experienced coaches, many of whom are CPR Certified
• Performance training for those looking to increase race times
• Organized group runs on Saturday or Sunday with Water/SAG support
• Coach’s Talks geared to help you during your training
• Discounts for Fire/EMS/Police (email us for more information at raceteamrva@gmail.com)
• Periodic mid-week speed or hill workouts (West End / Southside)
• Training plans to guide your daily activity
• On-course support for the following races (if held in person)- Charlottesville Area Trail (CAT) Half/Full Marathon (October 23), Richmond Half/Full Marathon (Nov 13). We may hold a special Race Team RVA unofficial full and half marathon on sometime in late October and invite all team members to join us.
• Team socials (when allowed by COVID guidelines)
• Technical Race Shirt
• Private Facebook group to communicate with team members and coaches, and receive frequent updates and training tips
• Option to participate in the 9 mile marathon program developed by Coach and World Ironman Champion Marlies Kort
• Option to participate in Core/Strength programs (Additional Fee through our partners)

Refund Policy – If you change your mind about participating in our programs, we are happy to honor your decision as long as the refund request is made before July 3, 2021 (for May 15 starts) and September 10 (for August 28 starts).  To request a refund, please submit your request in writing to Dan Blankenship, raceteamrva@gmail.com. A check will be processed once the refund has been accepted and approved.

For more information, email us at raceteamrva@gmail.com